Deathscapes

European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG), Brussels, June 2016

At EuroDIG 2016, Marianne Franklin served as a Focal Point in two “Confronting the Digital Divide” Workshops, namely, “Internet access and/as human rights for minorities” and “Refugees, human rights and Internet access.”

The first session addressed a range of social, legal, and technical issues at the intersection of human rights and internet access (including physical and mobile access points and the means to fully engage with, and enjoy services once online) for minorities, broadly defined.

The second session considered the current refugee and migrant crisis and how central a role mobile phones and internet access play in providing information, and contact with family back home as they seek refuge from war and conflict. Keeping these devices working, and being able to use various sorts of social media, is a vital lifeline for displaced persons on the road. They also play an integral role in being able to start a new life as newcomers in another part of the world. But providing internet and mobile phone access to these communities raises a number of questions for policy makers and service providers, be it for physical access and online service provision for people on their way to safety, whilst awaiting the outcome of their applications throughout the world, or for their needs such as education and information on public services once resettled.

Further information including video recordings and transcripts of these sessions: EuroDIG 2016.